Chapter 304: Like an Ephemeral Insect Gazing at the Azure Sky

Chapter 304: Like an Ephemeral Insect Gazing at the Azure Sky

November 3rd, 2024

Inspection Office.

Jiang Ning followed behind Hong Minghu, and the two of them entered Hong Minghu's bedroom, one after the other.

"Commander Jiang, please close the door!" Hong Minghu said with a rosy complexion.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning turned around and closed the door to the room.

The next moment—

"Pffft—"

He suddenly heard the sound of coughing up blood from behind him.

Turning around, he saw a pool of dark red blood mixed with shattered internal organs in front of Hong Minghu.

At this moment, Hong Minghu's right palm was propped on the round table beside him, his steps were slightly unsteady, and his rosy complexion turned deathly pale.

"Lord of the Mansion, what happened?" Jiang Ning stepped forward and supported Hong Minghu with one hand.

"It's nothing!" Hong Minghu waved his hand and took a few deep breaths, and his expression immediately relaxed.

Then he continued, "In the previous battle, my five viscera were severely damaged, my meridians were extensively torn, and my bones were displaced and deformed. Fortunately, you were there to respond from a distance. If you hadn't been there to support us, with Li Hong's bizarre methods at the time, we might have truly been annihilated!"

Hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled but remained silent.

Others might not know his strength, but he was well aware of it.

His current strength far surpassed Hong Minghu's by several times.

Since Hong Minghu could resist for so long, there was no reason for him not to endure it.

"Today's lucky survival is all thanks to you!" Hong Minghu looked at Jiang Ning with a sincere tone.

"You've already said that a few times, Lord of the Mansion." Jiang Ning smiled.

"Haha—" Hong Minghu also laughed a couple of times.

The next moment—

His laughter abruptly stopped.

"Cough, cough—" He quickly covered his chest, and black blood gushed from his mouth.

After coughing several times, Hong Minghu's face turned red, obviously struggling to suppress the urge to cough from his chest.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning slowly placed his palm on Hong Minghu's back.

With the stimulation of Jiang Ning's inner breath, a glimmer of surprise flashed in Hong Minghu's eyes.

As Jiang Ning's inner breath flowed into him, he instantly felt his five viscera relaxing.

"Your inner breath is extraordinary!" Hong Minghu exclaimed in surprise.

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "It's a vitality cultivation method, with no other advantages, but it's quite adept at healing internal injuries."

"Vitality cultivation?" Hong Minghu immediately praised, "What a great thing! Warriors fear hidden injuries and stagnant energy, as well as weakened bodily functions and declining vitality! A good vitality cultivation method can extend the golden period and increase the chances of breaking through to the Grandmaster level compared to others!"

Then, Hong Minghu looked at Jiang Ning again, "You, as a heaven-defying talent, are most suited for this type of internal cultivation method, rather than those that focus on bravery and combat."

Jiang Ning said, "So, it seems I chose the right path this time?"

"Indeed, it's the right path!" Hong Minghu nodded.

After that, he added, "Alright, you can stop now. I feel much better!"

Hearing this, Jiang Ning also withdrew his hand from Hong Minghu's back.

Hong Minghu quickly walked to the cabinet inside the room and took out a white jade porcelain bottle from it.

He removed the red stopper from the bottle's mouth and took out a round gray pill, which he swallowed in one go.

After swallowing the pill, Hong Minghu's complexion immediately improved.

"You just asked me about the White Tiger formed by my inner breath. Were you interested in learning it?" Hong Minghu put away the white jade porcelain bottle in his hand and spoke to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning replied, "It's not that I want to learn it, but I'm curious."

"The level of the technique?" Hong Minghu asked, then nodded, "That description is somewhat accurate!"

As he spoke, he opened another cabinet in front of him and took out a red brocade box the size of a palm from a hidden compartment inside.

Jiang Ning's gaze immediately fell on the red brocade box in Hong Minghu's hand.

Hong Minghu noticed Jiang Ning's gaze and couldn't help but smile.

Then he said, "It seems you're interested in this knowledge. Your level of inner strength must be quite high!"

Jiang Ning nodded, "It's not low, but it's not as high as yours, Lord of the Mansion."

Hong Minghu smiled and waved his hand, "I rely on external objects, how can I compare to you!"

As they conversed, Hong Minghu also came to the table in front of Jiang Ning.

He placed the red brocade box on the table and continued, "Take a look! This is a tiger bone with divine runes that I bought at an auction previously."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning's gaze immediately shifted to the red brocade box in Hong Minghu's hand.

Soon, Hong Minghu opened the red brocade box in his hand.

A bone as white as jade appeared before Jiang Ning's eyes, with intricate patterns embedded within it.

Hong Minghu looked at Jiang Ning and saw that his gaze had already fallen on the tiger bone in his hand, so he couldn't help but chuckle.

Then he picked up the tiger bone from the red brocade box, "See it? The patterns on this tiger bone are called divine runes. The White Tiger formed by my inner breath just now originated from the patterns on this tiger bone."

"In ancient times, the environment of the world was completely different from today."

"Some extraordinary beings would cultivate special patterns within their bones, and these patterns contained cosmic laws and principles.

"With these runes, these extraordinary beings can unleash terrifying killing techniques."

"In my estimation, this tiger bone must have come from a powerful member of the White Tiger Clan."

"The method I used earlier was Inner Breath Transformation, and by visualizing the runes on this tiger bone and manifesting them on the tiger's forehead, one can reveal extraordinary power."

As Hong Minghu spoke, his right thumb remained pressed against the side of the tiger bone covered in runes, concealing the traces of the runes on the bone. " He handed the bone to Jiang Ning, palm open.

"Jiang Commander, I have one more thing to ask."

"Speak!" Hong Minghu said.

"Why is it that when you unleash your Inner Breath, it's like a floodgate opening, while mine is like a trickling stream?"

"It's very simple!" Hong Minghu turned to Jiang Ning and continued, "The human body has eight extraordinary meridians and twelve primary meridians, with countless other branches and collaterals. If you can locate these meridians and repeatedly flush them with your Inner Breath to widen the channels, the efficiency of your Inner Breath release will naturally increase."

At this point, Hong Minghu said to Jiang Ning, "With your background, you lack too much basic martial arts knowledge. You should go to the Martial Academy in Dongling City to supplement your knowledge and enhance your foundation!"

"Otherwise, with your current understanding, your martial arts journey will surely be limited, and you won't get far!"

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Ning's expression turned to one of surprise.

"Can I also go to the Martial Academy to study?"

"Why not?" Hong Minghu's breathing had already become steady, and it was clear that the pill he had just swallowed was effective.

"With your martial arts talent, you are more than qualified to enter the Martial Academy. Not to mention the Martial Academy, even the academies in Guangning Prefecture and the Dao Palace in the capital city are within your reach."

"But for you now, it's not necessary to go through all that trouble."

"The Inspection Office has the full support of the Martial Saint Mansion. Whether it's the Martial Academy, the academies, or the Dao Palace, they all belong to the Martial Saint Mansion."

"Personnel from the Inspection Office can enter the Martial Academy, academies, or Dao Palace to study by consuming Contribution Points and enjoy all the corresponding treatments."

"Contribution Points can also be exchanged for credits, which can be used in the Martial Academy, academies, or Dao Palace."

"With your background, you really need to go and experience these places."

"Moreover, there are many excellent things there that will greatly benefit you!"

Hearing this, Jiang Ning instantly understood.

"Thank you for your guidance!" He bowed slightly.

This gratitude came from the heart.

"No need for that!" Hong Minghu smiled and waved his hand. "Today, you saved my life. A life-saving grace is beyond repayment! This is just a verbal suggestion, it's nothing."

As his words fell, he took the tiger bone in his right hand and placed it before Jiang Ning, palm open.

"Jiang Commander, I'm giving this to you!" Hong Minghu said.

"To me?" Jiang Ning was surprised.

"Yes," Hong Minghu nodded. "You saved my life, so I'm giving this to you!"

"Then, thank you, Lord of the Mansion!" Jiang Ning bowed slightly and took the tiger bone, white as jade, from Hong Minghu.

His gaze fell on the pure white tiger bone in his hand, and his eyes were instantly drawn to the runes on it.

He felt a profound mystery.

"Remember these runes thoroughly and accurately sketch them in your mind, and you'll succeed. Then, use Inner Breath Transformation to manifest a tiger, and by manifesting these runes on the tiger's forehead, you'll gain extraordinary empowerment."

Hearing Hong Minghu's guidance, Jiang Ning also looked closely at the runes on the tiger bone in his hand.

With his photographic memory, he instantly memorized them perfectly, without the slightest error.

Jiang Ning closed his eyes.

With his previous experience of visualizing the Five Beast Fist, he easily sketched it in his mind, also without any deviation.

In just a breath, Jiang Ning opened his eyes.

Hong Minghu's eyes widened in surprise.

As he raised his hand, his Inner Breath surged, instantly manifesting a tiger, a tiger full of divine aura.

Like a watercolor painting, although the tiger's body seemed incomplete and lacked fine details, it was filled with the tiger's divine aura, possessing the might of the king of beasts, awe-inspiring without anger.

At the same time, his Inner Breath circulated within the tiger's forehead, instantly manifesting the tiger bone and the pure white tiger bone with runes.

In an instant, the formation of these runes once again imbued the Inner Breath-manifested tiger with a characteristic.

A characteristic of violent killing intent.

This empowerment instantly contrasted with the previous peaceful and harmonious Inner Breath.

"What are you doing?!" Hong Minghu exclaimed, his eyes wide.

Jiang Ning felt the change in his Inner Breath and nodded repeatedly, "Lord of the Mansion, what you said is correct. With this change, the offensive power that can be unleashed by the Inner Breath is indeed different. With this strike, the same amount of Inner Breath consumption results in a doubled might.

(End of Chapter)"This level of skill is truly remarkable and incredibly practical!"

Jiang Ning was extremely satisfied at this moment.

In just a few breaths, his inner power's might had increased severalfold.

The gains were immense!

Hong Minghu slowly calmed the shock in his heart.

He looked at Jiang Ning with awe, as if an ordinary person had encountered a divine being.

"Commander Jiang, how did you achieve this? Your manifestation is even more divine than my inner power's tiger form."

"It's very simple!" Jiang Ning continued, "The patterns on the tiger bone are merely a hundred or so, and I have a photographic memory. I can remember everything with just a glance, so I can easily visualize the divine runes in my mind and manifest them on the tiger's forehead through my inner power."

"Moreover, the first technique I learned in my martial arts journey was the Five Beast Fist, and among them, the Tiger Style is the first form. Since embarking on the martial path, I've observed countless tigers and deeply understood their divine aura."

"So, achieving this level is easy for me!"

Hong Minghu: "..."

He heaved a long sigh.

"Meeting you has made me realize the true meaning of floating clouds and seeing the blue sky. Your talent is truly awe-inspiring."

As he spoke, Hong Minghu gazed intently at the tiger manifestation formed by Jiang Ning's inner power.

The tiger in Jiang Ning's hand was only palm-sized, about ten centimeters long.

Yet, it gave him a profound sense of awe.

He knew that with just this burst of inner power, Jiang Ning possessed the ability to threaten his life.

This threat wasn't due to Jiang Ning's superior inner power but rather his superior skill, which far surpassed Hong Minghu's.

The effect of the divine runes on the white tiger bone was even more potent in Jiang Ning's hands, surpassing what Hong Minghu could achieve.

This was primarily because Jiang Ning, like Hong Minghu, had successfully manifested the divine runes within his inner power's tiger manifestation. In just a few breaths, Jiang Ning had reached a level that would take Hong Minghu months to attain.

Furthermore, Jiang Ning's inner power-formed tiger possessed a more divine form, and the more realistic the form, the stronger the effect and the greater the power it could draw upon.

These divine runes were an external manifestation of the cosmic laws and principles.

At the same time, Jiang Ning heard Hong Minghu's praise and felt a sense of validation.

He had accumulated so much, and if he couldn't even achieve this, wouldn't he be a complete failure?

"But I never thought that my photographic memory would play such a crucial role here. Indeed, every trait has its significance and should never be underestimated!" He muttered to himself.

At that moment, Hong Minghu also calmed his tumultuous heart.

His gaze lingered on the tiger bone in Jiang Ning's hand.

"Lord of the Mansion, this belongs to you!" Jiang Ning said, returning the white tiger bone to Hong Minghu.

From Hong Minghu's eyes, he could see the reluctance to part with the tiger bone.

And at that moment, he realized that the tiger bone was no longer of use to him.

His photographic memory had served its purpose.

With his ability, he could memorize it with just one look.

Hong Minghu shook his head, "Once a gift is given, there's no taking it back. Take it, it's yours!"

Jiang Ning said, "I no longer have a use for this. Lord of the Mansion, you can keep it if you still need it."

"Even if you don't need it, keep it! I've given it away, and there's no taking it back. If you truly don't need it in the future, you can even sell it!" Hong Minghu firmly shook his head again.

After several unsuccessful attempts, Jiang Ning gave up on the idea of returning the tiger bone.

His opinion of Hong Minghu also slightly changed.

A moment later.

Hong Minghu watched Jiang Ning leave, feeling a twinge of heartache.

"You stubborn fool! You stubborn fool!"

He slapped himself a few times.

No one knew better than him how much silver this tiger bone had cost.

Such items, even if left untouched for a hundred years, retained their value.

They were highly sought after, with high premiums!

When Hong Minghu acquired this tiger bone, he spent a significant amount of silver.

He had planned to sell it later when it was no longer of use to him, ensuring his investment was worthwhile.

But after recalling the past and Jiang Ning's life-saving act, he decided to give away this precious bone, a symbol of his family's wealth, to mend their relationship.

"Forget it!"

"Forget it!!"

"Giving away a gift worth eleven thousand taels of silver at least repairs our relationship!"

"And today, he saved my life!"

"A life-saving favor, how can I not repay it?!"

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Jiang Ning, with his powerful hearing, listened to Hong Minghu's muttering from inside the house.

He was filled with astonishment.

"Eleven thousand taels of silver?"

(End of Chapter complete chapter)

Chapter end